Minerva R. Hires, 83, Newton, IL went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday April 8, 2017 at St Anthony Memorial Hospital, Effingham, IL.

Minerva was born on July 31, 1933 in Hazel Dell, IL. She was the daughter of James Paul Inskeep and Lucille (Kelly) Inskeep. On November 22, 1950 she married Herschel Ross Hires and he preceded her in death on May 10, 1991.

Minerva was a homemaker; taught classes on foods and nutrition for the University of Illinois Home Extension and spent the majority of her life self employed serving as a nurses aid for homebound patients and for many years as owner of Hires Professional Upholstery. Minerva was a member of the Casey High School Class of 1951. She was also a member of the Salem Missionary Baptist Church, Oblong, IL and the Jasper County Home Extension.

Minerva is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law David and Kris Hires of Cleburne,Texas and Michael R. and Sandy Hires of Willow Hill, IL; four daughters and sons-in-law Anita and Chuck Moulton of Robinson, IL, Rheta and Robert Cooley of Robinson, IL, Lora and John Curtright of Newton, IL and Stephanie and Debashis Dutta of Mason, OH; 23 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 1 great great-grandson; 4 sisters and 2 brothers-in-laws Guyla and Berlyn Yockey of Willow Hill, IL, Kay Cramer of Yale, IL, Carol and Larry Abraham of Bloomington, IN and Marietta Swango of Bloomington, IN; sister-in-law Diane Inskeep of Hazel Dell, IL and several nieces and nephews.

Minerva is preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandson; 2 great –grandsons; brother James Paul Inskeep Jr: 2 brothers-in-law Howard Swango and Bruce Eugene Cramer.

A Celebration of Minerva’s Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday April 13, 2017 at the Pulliam Funeral Home 302 East Main St. Oblong, IL with Pastor Al Malo officiating. Burial will follow in the Hazel Dell Cemetery next to her husband Herschel. A time of visitation for family and friends will be Thursday from 9:00 – 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home.

The family request that an expression of sympathy may take the form of a contribution to the Salem Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund with envelopes at or may be mailed to Pulliam Funeral Home P.O. Box 121 Oblong, IL 62449.